Areas of specialties include: Afrikaans language and literature, poetry, literary theory, ecopoetics and ecocriticism. Research: Currently doing research in ecocriticism and ecopoetics in Afrikaans literature.Creative publication: A poetry book, "In die afwesigheid van sin" (Protea Boekhuis), has recently been published. The poems explore the way in which cultural goods are transferred from generation to generation. Smith is currently working on a second poetry volume.Language Policy Planning: Instrumental in Language Policy planning and policy writing at the University of Fort Hare. Instrumental in the policy adopted end of 2013 which provides for the three languages, Afrikaans, English and Xhosa to be recognised as the official languages at the University of Fort Hare. This is a major breakthrough for multilingualism and multiculturalism and also emphasises the roles that these language groups play at the university. The incorporation of Afrikaans as one of the official languages alongside English and Xhosa is specifically of importance in the Afrikaans community since many of the bigger universities were closing down Afrikaans departments and/or removing the official status of Afrikaans.Growing Afrikaans Department:Smith has initiated an Afrikaans department at the University of Fort Hare in 2005 with merely 9 students. Currently the student numbers average around 120, including students from first year up to doctoral level. In 2011 the Department of Higher Education named the department as the fastest growing Afrikaans department in the country. The visibility of the department in and around the fairly English community of East London, has had a huge impact on the growth of the department.Curriculum renewal and new curriculum developmentInternationalisationStrategic planning /faculty strategic planning